akivisuals
Contributor
So, the Aqualung Dimension i3 that I started off with has apparently sprung some unrepairable leaks as well as having some of the rods or linkages bent that connect the dump lever to the valves. Since I bought it secondhand, I don't have any warranty to speak of so I'm faced with replacing it from scratch. Most of the recommendations that I've been getting have been to go with a traditional backplate and harness rather than all the fancy bells and whistles that tend to clutter and break. I'm facing this now with my Dimension i3. I can't just pull the bladder off and get a new one. The whole shebang is now worthless....
My question is, should I go with a soft plate BP/W like the Dive Rite Transpac XT or the Hollis HTS 2 versus a hard plate and simple webbing? I'm leaning towards the soft plate and here's my thought process. I mostly shore dive in Southern California where there is a fairly significant amount of trudging up and down trails, hills, sometimes climbing down cliffs, and stairs. If I were diving off boats most of the time I wouldn't think that a hard plate would be such an issue, but with that amount of hiking involved with the heavy weight of the gear comfort is an issue. The padding in the shoulders and back and the way the weight is distributed to the hips is a big plus for me. The Transpac XT and HTS 2 both have padded back, lumbar, waist belts, and shoulder straps. I'm thinking that I'd really appreciate the comfort of those BCs without being stuck in a rec only BC like the Dimension that I had. If I wanted to at some point dive doubles or even switch out the wing for a lower capacity, warm water solution then it would be rather easy compared to an all in one where I'd have to get another rig for those types of things.
If you did have to choose between the Dive Rite Transpac XT and the Hollis HTS 2 which would you pick and why?
For those of you who dive cold California shores and have to do a fair bit of hiking to get to your dive spot, would you dive a traditional hard backplate and unpadded harness? What are your experiences with hard vs soft backplates?
Also, would a back inflate BC like the Zeagle Ranger offer enough versatility to get vs a more tec oriented BP/W setup?
Thanks!
My question is, should I go with a soft plate BP/W like the Dive Rite Transpac XT or the Hollis HTS 2 versus a hard plate and simple webbing? I'm leaning towards the soft plate and here's my thought process. I mostly shore dive in Southern California where there is a fairly significant amount of trudging up and down trails, hills, sometimes climbing down cliffs, and stairs. If I were diving off boats most of the time I wouldn't think that a hard plate would be such an issue, but with that amount of hiking involved with the heavy weight of the gear comfort is an issue. The padding in the shoulders and back and the way the weight is distributed to the hips is a big plus for me. The Transpac XT and HTS 2 both have padded back, lumbar, waist belts, and shoulder straps. I'm thinking that I'd really appreciate the comfort of those BCs without being stuck in a rec only BC like the Dimension that I had. If I wanted to at some point dive doubles or even switch out the wing for a lower capacity, warm water solution then it would be rather easy compared to an all in one where I'd have to get another rig for those types of things.
If you did have to choose between the Dive Rite Transpac XT and the Hollis HTS 2 which would you pick and why?
For those of you who dive cold California shores and have to do a fair bit of hiking to get to your dive spot, would you dive a traditional hard backplate and unpadded harness? What are your experiences with hard vs soft backplates?
Also, would a back inflate BC like the Zeagle Ranger offer enough versatility to get vs a more tec oriented BP/W setup?
Thanks!